Diet for hepatitis C in adults, children. What you can and cannot eat, a table, a menu for every day

Hepatitis C is a virus damaging the liver, causing inflammation and fibrosis. If left untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis or scarring of the organ.

If hepatitis causes liver damage, the person may need to change their diet and follow a specific diet. There is no specific meal plan for adults with this condition, but a detailed weekly menu can be drawn up based on general recommendations.

Essence and basic principles

People with hepatitis C may benefit from eating a variety of vegetables, whole grains and sources of unsaturated fat. In most cases, there is no need for a special diet. However, improper diet in the presence of hepatitis C can provoke further liver damage.

As a rule, a diet for this disease is prescribed in the presence of the following circumstances:

• Interferon treatment: Side effects may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the mouth and throat.
• Cirrhosis: People with cirrhosis often experience loss of appetite and energy. They may eat poorly and may have to stick to certain menus.
• Other medical conditions: Other medical conditions besides hepatitis C may mean the need for a diet. Most often it is high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease.

Alcohol consumption is another factor that can increase liver damage, so people with hepatitis C are advised to stop or limit their intake.

In addition, people with this condition are at increased risk of diabetes. This means that eating a healthy diet is important for them to reduce body fat and control blood sugar.

A healthy diet can improve liver health in someone with hepatitis C and reduce the likelihood of developing cirrhosis. Eating a healthy diet helps maintain the immune system and fight disease.

The diet for hepatitis C in adults is most often a type of healthy diet with a reduction or elimination of unhealthy drinks and foods that are harmful to the liver. In addition, it is advisable to adjust the diet to reduce the level of inflammation in the body, as this helps the liver to fight the virus.

Foods high in omega-9 and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation. Foods high in antioxidants also fight inflammatory free radicals.

It is also necessary to maintain weight within a healthy range because the liver starts to function less well and is heavily stressed when overweight or underweight.

It is recommended to eat in small portions throughout the day, rather than consume a daily diet in 1-2 doses. The latter forces the liver to work harder to break down large amounts of food.

A fractional meal will also help stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce food cravings, and prevents the feeling of bloating and drowsiness that can occur when consuming large portions food.

It is best to limit your intake of foods high in sugar and salt. Eating large amounts of sodium and protein causes fluid retention and can lead to excess toxins in the blood. In addition, excess protein can cause a lack of certain amino acids that the body needs to function properly.

You should also drink plenty of clean water, if possible filtered. Drink at least 2 liters daily. It is also required to avoid alcohol, as it acts as a catalyst for liver disease and increases the manifestation of symptoms.

Allowed Products

The diet for hepatitis C in adults does not have a specific plan and strict requirements. In most cases, it is simply advised to consume certain foods to maintain good liver health.

Fruits and vegetables

The menu should contain a lot of fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables, including kale and spinach, may be especially beneficial for people with hepatitis C.

It is necessary to include in the diet:

• arugula and other salad greens;
• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• Bell pepper;
• cabbage;
• broccoli;
• kale;
• cauliflower;
• spinach;
• oranges;
• any berries
• the rest of the fruits and vegetables.

These food groups are full of essential compounds to help your liver function properly. Fresh fruits and vegetables are ideal, but they can also be eaten frozen or canned. People with this condition should strive to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Leafy green crops can reduce the fatty acid content of the liver, which is why they are especially beneficial for people with hepatitis C. Kale, spinach, and kale are good examples. However, all of these crops are a source of iron, which can be harmful if consumed in excess for sufferers. Therefore, it is necessary to control their consumption.

Protein food

Protein intake is important as it provides energy and can keep you feeling full. Substituting them for more of the fast carbs is a great way to reduce your risk of conditions like diabetes.

Suitable protein sources are as follows:

• turkey and chicken;
• low-fat cheese;
• tofu;
• eggs;
• legumes;
• nuts and seeds.

Dairy products contain protein, calcium and vitamin D. Low-fat or low-fat varieties are the best choice for patients with hepatitis C. In addition, you should limit your intake of dairy products with added sugar.

Complex carbohydrates

Cereals, breads, and cereals are examples of complex carbohydrates packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and zinc.

The most beneficial complex carbohydrates include:

• brown and wild rice;
• whole oats and flakes from it;
• whole grain rye;
• whole grain wheat.

Prohibited foods

The diet for hepatitis C in adults also contains a list of types of food that must be excluded or limited in the menu due to their effect on the liver.

Fatty foods

The saturated fat found in meats, fast foods and snacks should be avoided. They are capable of causing processes such as the accumulation of fat in the liver, which leads to cirrhosis. People with hepatitis C should try to consume the unsaturated fats found in nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, and fish oils.

Salt

Controlling the amount of salt you eat is important for people with hepatitis C. For example, when cirrhosis is present, lowering sodium levels is vital to reduce the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen known as ascites. To reduce salt intake, people should avoid processed foods and processed foods.

Sugar

The liver helps regulate blood sugar levels. High-fat foods such as baked goods, desserts, and candy are high in calories but have almost no nutritional value and can cause glucose spikes. This can trigger the development of diabetes.

Iron

People with chronic hepatitis C have problems with iron secretion. An excess of this mineral can overload the blood and some organs.

Iron is essential for the functioning of the body, so its intake should not be completely eliminated. However, it is advisable to reduce your intake of foods rich in it, such as red meat, liver, and artificially fortified grains.

Thus, the following types of food should be excluded or sharply limited in the diet:

• Alcohol is one of the main factors causing fatty liver. Many alcoholic drinks are also high in calories, which can lead to weight gain.
• Fried foods such as french fries, donuts, and fried meats are high in saturated fat.
• Foods with added sugar, such as candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices, can cause high blood sugar levels, which are eventually stored as fat.
• Refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, crackers, flour cakes, and biscuits can raise blood sugar levels. These foods contain less fiber than whole grains, which makes them less filling, so overeating is possible.
• Red and processed meats, bacon, canned meats, salami, other sausages, and beef are rich in saturated fat.

Main menu

The diet for hepatitis C in adults can be based on a healthy Mediterranean diet, as this will help make the diet as healthy and easy to follow as possible.

This option is ideal for people looking for a long-term solution rather than short-term constraints. This diet emphasizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains and breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil.

It has been proven that such a diet can stop many pathological processes in the liver and even reverse them. An example weekly menu might look like this.

day	breakfast	dinner	dinner
1	yogurt with banana and nuts	cannellini bean salad	"Fast" moussaka
2	tomato and watermelon salad	vegetable rolls	baked tomatoes with eggs
3	oatmeal with blueberries	carrot, orange and avocado salad	salmon with potatoes and corn salad
4	yogurt with banana and nuts	bean salad	spicy carrot and lentil soup
5	tomato and watermelon salad	panzanella salad	chicken with quinoa and greek salad
6	oatmeal with blueberries	quinoa with vegetables	grilled vegetables with mashed beans
7	yogurt with banana and nuts	moroccan chickpea soup	spicy Mediterranean beet salad

Snacks between meals are recommended.

Good options are:

• a handful of nuts or seeds;
• fresh fruit;
• carrots or a serving of carrot salad;
• berries or grapes.

Recipes for the presented menu

The Mediterranean-style diet recommended for adults with hepatitis C offers easy-to-prepare meals.

Yogurt with banana and nuts

This healthy breakfast requires the following:

• 225 g Greek yogurt
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 2 tbsp. l. walnuts, toasted and chopped.

Cooking process:

1. Pour some yoghurt into the bottom of a large glass, add a layer of bananas, then pour in some more yoghurt and repeat the layers.
2. As soon as the glass is full, you need to sprinkle the surface of the yogurt with nuts.

Cannellini bean salad

You will need the following ingredients:

• 600 g cannellini beans;
• 70 g cherry tomatoes, halved;
• half a thinly sliced ​​red onion;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. red wine vinegar;
• a small bunch of basil, torn by hand.

It is required to rinse the beans, dry and mix them with tomatoes, onions and vinegar, add the basil just before serving.

Light moussaka

The ingredients you need are the following:

• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• half a finely chopped onion;
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 250 g lean ground beef;
• 200 g finely chopped tomatoes, skinless;
• 1 tbsp. l. tomato puree;
• 1 hour l. ground cinnamon;
• 1 small can (200 g) canned chickpeas
• 100 g feta cheese, crumbled;
• mint (preferably fresh);
• black bread, for serving.

To prepare this dish, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Heat oil in a frying pan, put onion and garlic and fry until soft, then add minced meat and fry for 3-4 minutes. until brown.
2. Then you need to put the tomatoes in a pan and add tomato puree and cinnamon, then salt, simmer for 20 minutes, add the chickpeas (drained and dried).
3. Sprinkle the finished dish with feta and mint, serve with toasted bread.

Breakfast: tomato and watermelon salad

You will need the following ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 1 tbsp. l. red wine vinegar;
• 0.25 hrs l. chili flakes;
• 1 tbsp. l. chopped mint;
• 120 g chopped tomatoes;
• 300 g of watermelon pulp, cut into pieces;
• 50 g feta cheese, crumbled.

Cooking instructions:

1. For dressing, mix oil, vinegar, chili flakes and mint, then salt.
2. Next, put the tomatoes and watermelon in a salad bowl, pour over the dressing, add feta and serve.

Vegetable rolls

To prepare them you need:

• 100 g cherry tomatoes;
• 1 cucumber;
• 6 Kalamata olives;
• 2 large wholemeal tortillas;
• 50 g feta cheese;
• 2 tbsp. l. hummus.

The process for their preparation is as follows:

1. Cut the tomatoes into quarters, cut the cucumber into strips, cut the olives in half and remove the seeds.
2. The cakes need to be heated and evenly greased with hummus, put the vegetable mixture in the middle and roll into rolls.

Baked tomatoes with eggs

What ingredients are needed:

• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 1 chili, seeded and chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 2 red onions, chopped;
• a small bunch of cilantro, chopped stems and leaves separately;
• 4 tbsp. cherry tomatoes;
• 4 eggs;
• black bread, for serving.

This dish is prepared as follows:

1. It is necessary to heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onions, chili peppers, garlic and cilantro stalks for 5 minutes. until soft.
2. Then add the tomatoes and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
3. Using the back of a large spoon, you need to make 4 holes in the sauce, then break into each of them the egg, then cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat for 6-8 minutes, until the eggs are get ready.
4. Sprinkle the finished dish with cilantro leaves and serve with bread.

Oatmeal with blueberries

The following ingredients are required:

• 60 g oatmeal;
• 160 g Greek yogurt
• 175 g blueberries;
• 1 hour l. honey.

Cooking is done like this:

1. You need to put the oats in a saucepan with 400 ml of water, boil and stir for about 2 minutes, then remove from the stove, put in a bowl and add a third of the yogurt.
2. Blueberries should be mixed in a separate saucepan with honey and 1 tbsp. l. water, cook over low heat until the berries are soft.
3. Next, put the berry mass in a bowl of oatmeal, pour over the remaining yogurt and serve.

Carrot, orange and avocado salad

The ingredients you need are the following:

• 1 orange, plus zest and juice of another fruit;
• 2 carrots, halved and cut into strips;
• 1.5 tbsp. arugula;
• 1 avocado, pitted and peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil.

It is required to separate the slices of one orange, peel off the films and put in a salad bowl along with carrots, arugula and avocado, pour over with a mixture of orange juice, crushed zest and oil, stir and serve.

Salmon with potatoes and corn salad

This dish requires the following:

• 200 g of young potatoes;
• 1 ear of corn
• 2 skinless salmon fillets;
• 60 g of tomatoes;
• 1 tbsp. l. red wine vinegar;
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 1 bunch chives or leeks, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped capers;
• a handful of basil leaves.

To prepare, you need to follow these steps:

1. Boil the potatoes in boiling water until tender, add corn there for the last 5 minutes, then drain and cool.
2. To prepare the dressing, mix the vinegar, oil, shallots, capers and basil.
3. The grill must be heated to the maximum, grate the salmon with the dressing and fry on the wire rack with the skin-peeled side down for 7-8 minutes.
4. Tomatoes and cooked potatoes should be cut into slices and put on a plate, the corn kernels should be cut off from the cob, the fish should be placed on top and sprinkled with the remaining dressing.

Mixed bean salad

You will need the following ingredients:

• 145 g artichokes in oil;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. sun-dried tomato paste;
• 0.6 hrs l. red wine vinegar;
• 1 small can (200 g) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 150 g tomatoes, cut into quarters;
• a handful of Kalamata olives;
• 2 green leeks, diagonally sliced ​​thinly;
• 100 g of feta, crumbled.

The step-by-step cooking process looks like this:

1. It is necessary to drain the oil from the jar of artichokes, leaving 1-2 tbsp. l.
2. Reserved oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar should be placed in one bowl and mixed until smooth.
3. Artichokes should be chopped and placed in a salad bowl, add Cannellini beans, tomatoes, red onion, olives and half of the feta cheese, pour over the dressing, mix well, crumble the remaining feta on top and serve.

Spicy carrot and lentil soup

For cooking you will need:

• 1 tbsp. l. cumin seeds;
• a pinch of chili flakes;
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 300 g carrots, washed and coarsely grated;
• 70 g red lentils;
• 500 ml of hot vegetable broth;
• 60 milk;
• Greek yogurt, to serve.

The cooking process is carried out as follows:

1. Heat a large saucepan and fry the cumin seeds and chili flakes for 1 minute, then spoon out about half of the seeds and set aside.
2. Next, add butter, carrots, lentils, broth and milk to the pan and heat to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes, until the lentils swell and become soft.
3. Then whisk the soup with a blender or food processor until smooth, season to taste, and serve with Greek yogut and a little toasted spices.

Panzanella salad

The following ingredients are required:

• 400 g of tomatoes;
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp. l. capers, drained and dried;
• 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled, chopped
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 slices of black bread;
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 1 tbsp. l. red wine vinegar;
• a small handful of basil leaves.

The cooking process is carried out as follows:

1. Tomatoes should be chopped and put in a salad bowl, salt and add garlic, capers, avocado and onion, mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
2. Then you need to break the bread into pieces and place it with the rest of the mixture, sprinkle with half the olive oil and half the vinegar.
3. Before serving, sprinkle the salad with basil leaves and sprinkle with the remaining oil and vinegar, mix.

Grilled vegetables with bean puree

For vegetables you will need:

• 1 pepper, seeded and cut into quarters
• 1 eggplant, sliced ​​lengthwise;
• 2 courgettes, cut into strips lengthwise;
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil

For the bean puree:

• 400 g canned beans, drained, washed and drained;
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 100 ml vegetable broth;
• 1 tbsp. l. chopped cilantro.

The cooking process looks like this:

1. Preheat the grill, put the vegetables on the wire rack and lightly grease with oil, fry until they are lightly browned, turn over, grease with oil again and fry until tender.
2. Meanwhile, put the beans in a saucepan with garlic and broth, heat
3. until boiling, then simmer without a lid for 10 minutes, then grind with a blender in mashed potatoes.
4. To serve, divide vegetables and mashed potatoes into 2 plates, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with black pepper and cilantro.

Moroccan chickpea soup

The ingredients you need are the following:

• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• half a medium onion, chopped;
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 1 hour l. ground cumin;
• 300 ml of hot vegetable broth;
• 200 g of chopped peeled tomatoes;
• 200 g canned chickpeas, washed and dried;
• 50 g well-cooked beans;
• zest and juice of half a lemon;
• cilantro and bread for serving.

The cooking instructions look like this:

1. It is necessary to heat the oil in a saucepan, fry the onions and celery in it for 10 minutes, until they become soft, add the cumin and fry for another minute.
2. Next, you need to increase the heat, and pour in the broth, put the tomatoes and chickpeas, sprinkle with black pepper and cook for 8 minutes.
3. Then you need to add the beans and lemon juice and cook for another 2 minutes, sprinkle with lemon zest and cilantro on top.

Mediterranean beet salad

What ingredients are required:

• 8 raw small tubers of young beets or 4 medium, peeled;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. sumac;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. ground cumin;
• 400 g of canned, rinsed and dried chickpeas;
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 0.5 tsp l. lemon zest;
• 0.5 tsp l. lemon juice;
• 200 g Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp. l. harissa paste;
• 1 hour l. crushed red chili flakes;
• mint leaves, chopped, for serving.

The step-by-step cooking process is as follows:

1. The oven needs to be heated to 220 ° C.
2. Beets should be cut in half or quarters, depending on size, spread out
3. On a large baking sheet with chickpeas, mix with butter and seasonings, bake for 30 minutes.
4. While the vegetables are cooking, you need to mix the lemon zest and juice with yogurt and harissa paste.
5. Divide the cooked beets and chickpeas into 2 bowls, pour over the yoghurt mixture, sprinkle with chili and mint flakes and serve.

These are far from the only Mediterranean-style food options suitable for the Hepatitis C diet in adults. In order to adhere to a healthy diet constantly, you should select new different recipes, guided by your preferences.

Hepatitis C diet video

Prohibited foods for hepatitis C: